Josh Widdicombe is an anxious everyman. His brand of comedy revels in the awkwardness of being a millennial bloke. In mundane frustrations, dry observations on ordinary life, self-deprecating rants and millennial nostalgia. It is relatable stuff – the quirks and irks of being British – but it is not what I associate with Strictly Come Dancing.
And yet today, the BBC confirmed its new hosting line-up of Emma Willis, Widdicombe, and beloved professional dancer Johannes Radebe. Willis – a seasoned live TV pro – will be the new Tess, Radebe will be in a new “roving reporter” role, and Widdicombe has the unenviable job of replacing Claudia Winkleman, whose duties primarily were to be weird and warm, chat to the celebs in the “Clauditorium” as the adrenaline rush of dancing wore off, and hold their hands as the judges’ scores are delivered. She also spent a considerable chunk of her 14 years on the show getting grabbed and jumped on by the couples as they gurned at the camera and wielded inflatable props around and pleaded for the audience to vote for them.
Now, look. Through Strictly Come Dancing, Claudia Winkleman grew from clever, fringey, orange wacko goth to Britain’s most-loved TV presenter. Because of her, that secondary hosting gig evolved from backup support to an enormous responsibility – through her quick wit, delight in the ridiculousness and maternal instincts, she released everyone’s tension and set the tone. We watched her friendship with Tess develop in front of us and while they were a formidable partnership, she was the one with her arm round everyone, she was the one holding together that “Strictly family” in the back. Whoever inherited that role was always going to be up against it, because of how closely her unique personality and the job itself became entwined. And because she was impossibly popular.
